THE LIVING WORLD. i 95 
into a spiral line, flattened his head, inflated his cheeks, contracted his lips 
displayed his envenomed fangs, and his bloody throat; his double tongue 
glowed like two flames of fire; his eyes were burning coals; his body, swollen 
with rage, rose and fell like the bellows of a forge; his dilated skin assumed a 
dull and scaly appearance, and his tail, which sounded the denunciation of 
death vibrated with so great rapidity as to resemble a light vapor. The 
Canadian now began to play upon his flute; the serpent started with surprise, 
a T d dl " e . w back his head. In proportion as he was struck with the magic 
e ffe ct his eyes lost their fierceness, the oscillations of his tail became slower, 
SERPENT-EATING HOMODRYAS, OR NAJA. 
and the sound which it emitted became weaker, and gradually died away. Less 
perpendicular upon their spiral line, the rings of the fascinated serpent were 
by degrees expanded, and sunk one after another upon the ground in concentric 
circles. The shades of azure green, white, and gold, recovered their brilliancy 
on his quivering skin, and slightly turning his head, he remained motionless 
in the attitude of attention and pleasure. At this moment the Canadian 
advanced a few steps, producing with his flute sweet and simple notes. The 
reptile inclining his variegated neck, opened a passage with his head through 
